Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Radley – 31 Mar 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. March 31. 1741

To Mr Radley



Sir

      We have herewith Sent you the Tacknotes for Granting to the Gov.r & Company four Veins of Lead Ore in Alston Manner & of Clargill Cleugh head String & Matt  Cousins & Ray both which wou’d have sent Sooner, but that we Cou’d not get the Tacknote from the Company Agent nor Settle with him the Discription of Blaygill lease, so as it might not Interfere with Fourshield burn. - Blaygill you will Observe is one of the Mines Granted to Geo. Liddell Esqr. & Ptners at ? Duty, & was Imediatly granted by him by the Lead Company at the Same Duty, now they offer for this Mine Called fourshieldburne at a Lower duty & propose to measure 1260 Yards from the east boundry of Aldston liberty Westward which woud run into blaygill at least 600 Yards, & Consequently by that means they woud enjoy that 600 Yards at the low duty which they ought to pay ? for . In order therefore to prevent this Imposition you will please to Observe we have made an Interlination of the description to be 1200 Yards in Length in Each of the Veins provided the same does not  Interfere with or Extend into any mine or mines formerly granted by the Comiss.rs of Greenwich Hospital. The Tacknote of Cousens & Races has the Same Interlination as to the Description.

      We Expect before this reaches your hand that an offer will be made of at least £5000 for the Northumberland Woods, and an Advance for the Cumber.d ones, the former we think will run to near £5200 if not more, & Cumb.d to about £4800 at which rates it may be proper to Sell, but Unless £4800 can be got for the Cumberland Woods we rather advise their being unsold another Year, in Which time we hope you will come at the value.

      As the Season is so farr Spent we apprehend the Woods Cannot be sold so as to have a fall this Year, so that pray be not hasty in your peremptory day of sale & give us as much Notice of the day as you Can, for for[sic] we woud willingly do all we can to promote the Sale, & to prevent any reflection on any person Concerned in it, & you may be assured we are

      Sir Yrs. &c

      Walton & Boag